My Vision Test

A free modern Amsler Grid test for Macular Degeneration

MyVisionTest News Archive

Sep 20, 2010

Markers for active AMD helpful in monitoring therapyA drop in visual acuity, persistent or recurrent fluid on ocular coherence tomography, new hemorrhage or distortion are all "markers" that can assist in monitoring the effectiveness of Lucentis treatment in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) cases, a clinician said here.

Monitoring Lucentis (ranibizumab) therapy in AMD treatment can be difficult, but applying a low-threshold for re-treatment could be an effective approach because long-term stability is the goal of treatment, Dr Paul Mitchell said at the 25th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress Congress in Beijing.

The best treatment monitoring method might be an individualized approach that considers whether the patient's disease is "active" or "reactivated" based on criteria showing possible change, Dr. Mitchell said.

"It's a really hard subject because we are still really uncertain about this," he said. "Our overall goal is to achieve the best visual outcomes that are practically obtainable. That means, we'd like to be able to do monthly ranibizumab injections forever ... and we would get fantastic results, presumably, but it's not feasible."